Page 933 - the-three-musketeers

last! This time you shall not escape me!’
‘Neither is it my intention, monsieur, for this time I was
seeking you; in the name of the king, I arrest you.’
‘How! what do you say?’ cried d’Artagnan.
‘I say that you must surrender your sword to me, mon-
sieur, and that without resistance. This concerns your head,
I warn you.’
‘Who are you, then?’ demanded d’Artagnan, lowering
the point of his sword, but without yet surrendering it.
‘I am the Chevalier de Rochefort,’ answered the other,
‘the equerry of Monsieur le Cardinal Richelieu, and I have
orders to conduct you to his Eminence.’
‘We are returning to his Eminence, monsieur the Che-
valier,’ said Athos, advancing; ‘and you will please to accept
the word of Monsieur d’Artagnan that he will go straight to
La Rochelle.’
‘I must place him in the hands of guards who will take
him into camp.’
‘We will be his guards, monsieur, upon our word as gen-
tlemen; but likewise, upon our word as gentlemen,’ added
Athos, knitting his brow, ‘Monsieur d’Artagnan shall not
leave us.’
The Chevalier de Rochefort cast a glance backward,
and saw that Porthos and Aramis had placed themselves
between him and the gate; he understood that he was com-
pletely at the mercy of these four men.
‘Gentlemen,’ said he, ‘if Monsieur d’Artagnan will sur-
render his sword to me and join his word to yours, I shall be
satisfied with your promise to convey Monsieur d’Artagnan

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